Type-setting device



y V w. J. PEARSON 2,003,220

TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY May 28, 1935.

Filea Oct. 23, 1931 12' Sheets-Sheet 2 I A TTORNE Y- May 28, 1935. w. J. PEARSON TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 25, 1931 I2 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR -f/fl/dm @arsw,

ATTORNEY May 28, 1935; 7 w. J. PEARSON 2,003,220

TY-PEV SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct; 23, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR M/fl'om k/fiwmn,

:C I ATTORNEY.

May 28, 1935. w. J. PEARSON 2,003,220

' TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23; 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 INVENTOR BY 60rfa/9 M x ATTORNEY- May 28, 1935. w. J. PEARSON TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 25, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR mm Pmm, M

A TTORNE y- May 28, 1935. w. J. PEARSON TYPE SETTING DEVICE Fild Oct. 25, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR I Mfl/m J 9 ATTORNEY May 28; 1935.

w. J. PEARSON TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 25, 1931 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR M///0m @0/0'0/2 flan/Wm z A TTORNEY M 23, w. J. #EARsoN 2,003,220

TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 23, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet l0 FigJ-i INVENTOR ATTORNEY .May 28, 1935. 2 v W0, PEAR ON 2,003,220

TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed 001.. 23, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR ///am 0 m M w ATTORNEY- May 28, 1935. w. J. PEARSON TYPE SETTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 25, 1931.

12 Sheets-Sheet 1 .2v

ATTORNEY- Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in type-setting devices for parcel post machines and the like, such as is disclosed. in my co-pending application, Serial No. 367,106, filed May 29,

1929, entitled Parcel post weighing and stamp printing machine, by William J. Pearson, de signed for weighing parcel post packages and the like, and for printing metered prepaid stamps for the same.

The parcel post weighing and stamp printing machineQdisclosed in said application, is designed for printing purposes, more particularly the printing of metered parcel post stamps wherein it may be required to print a stamp bearing the name of the place of original mailing, the date, the zone number to which the package is addressed, the weight of the package, the monetary value of the stamp derived from the weight and the zone, a serial number, and such other words, phrases, figures, decorations and designations as it may be desired to print. This mechanism is used in conjunction with a scale, meters, printing mechanism, and a paper supply, and may be motor driven and used for any printing purpose.

This mechanism is particularly adapted for the printing of parcel post stamps upon a paper strip which is fed through the machine and when printed is cut to the proper stamp length, and being gummed on the reverse side may be moistened at the delivery point of the machine and in this condition attached to the package to be mailed.

This mechanism is also designed to be used in conjunction with a metering or registering device which continuously registers within a set of numeral wheels constituting the meter, the monetary values of the stamps printed; and also with a control meter which may be set for a predetermined monetary value, and which, upon exhaustion of that amount, will function to lock the entire machine against operation until again so set, and may be so disposed as to actuate any other mechanism that may be desired.

This invention provides a novel method of setting up within the machine the mechanical equivalents of numbers put in the machine by an operator by actuation of the keys of a keyboard.

More particularly, the invention provides a novel method or" setting up a series of type within the machine through the use by an operator or" a single bank of ten keys, which, when the required numbers have been set up or the required number of keys operated on the keyboard, may be operated by means of a control key and the connected motor drive, perform the printing operation, whereupon the entire machine is cleared and re-set preparatory to the next setting and printing operation.

In the form of the machine disclosed there are six numbers to be printed, hence six figures must be set up in the machine; therefore, six keys on the keyboard must be punched or six key-actuations must be performed before the progressive release lock will be fully operated to unlock and allow the printing mechanism to function; it is impossible to print a stamp until the required number of keys have been punched on the keyboard, thus reducing to a minimum the possibility of printing incorrect or mutilated stamps and the consequent registering of incorrect amounts within the meters.

This invention includes a printing mechanism comprising multiple type adapted to be set up by a single keyboard of ten keys successively for printing purposes, which type may be returned to their original zero positions at the will of the operator, and which will be automatically returned to original position at the completion of a printing operation.

An object of my invention is to provide in a parcel post machine means for setting up combinations of figures by means of type wheels within the numeral printer, a keyboard of a single bank of ten keys being employed to progressively set up the type.

An object of my invention is to provide a printing mechanism comprising a series of printing wheels actuated by a keyboard mechanism and rotated to a position corresponding to the numbers put into the keyboard, successively and in order, and presenting the selected type faces in printing relation to a platen.

An object of my invention is to provide a printing mechanism comprising a locking element adapted to engage the printing wheels while still in geared relation to the setting means, and retaining them in locked position during a printing operation, returning them to the same geared relation to the setting means which they occupied before the locking operation occurred.

An object of my invention is to provide a printing mechanism comprising a platen against which the type operate to print, which includes a duplicating mechanism composed of an inked ribbon and spools for winding the ribbon, rewinding mechanism and reversing mechanism for the ribbon, and runways or guides for the paper strips to pass through under the printer, the ribbon lying between the two paper strips and allowing the type to print a duplicate stamp by the force of the blow delivered against the platen.

An object of my invention is to provide a printing mechanism, including a drive mechanism, wherein the motive power is continuously supplied during the entire printing cycle of a machine, but intermittently connected to the printer parts, for actuation only at selected points in the cycle of operation, relative to the operation of other operative parts of the machine. For this purpose I have provided a novel ally initiating the clearing operation of the machine. I have provided mechanism whereby the numbers punched in on the keyboard will be successively transmitted by mechanical movement. to the printing and meter-actuating elements, thus providing a means to set up six different figures with theuse of only a single bank. of ten keys.

An object of my invention is to provide a keyboardof the simplest form and character to provide ease and. simplicity of operation for an operator of an otherwise complicated machine, and toprovide mechanism that will respond to a very light touch upon the keys. To that end I have provided a series of power driven clutches disposed between thekeys and'the machine actuating elements, hereinafter called the. key bars;

, each key'is essentially a clutch actuating lever by which-the power. isconnected from its source to the machine operating elements. I

An object of my invention is to provide a V mechanism whereby a multiple of numbers may be set up in a machine by means of a typesetting device comprising a keyboard with a single bank of ten keys, this multiple, of numbers being operated successively and in the order which they will assume when printed, an extension of the same mechanism also transferring the mechanical equivalents of the same numbers to meter-actuating mechanism which is operated to'actuate a permanent total meter and a downward count meter hereinafter termed the control meter; the meters are actuated to register the number at the time that the printing operation takes place in the machine; at the completion of the printing operation the machine is cleared of the numeral set-up, and such parts as need to beset for operation are re-set in a position necessary for such operation.

This type-setting device also includes selector elementswhich transmit the movement originating at the keyboard to the numeral printer and the meter set-up mechanism by successive positions and contacts, making one longitudinal movement upon the operation of a key in the keyboard and subsequently making an escapement movement transversely of the original movement, thereby positioning the contacting member in preparation for the actuation of the next type member by the next operation of a key of the keyboard.

This device also actuates a progressive release lock which is set at an original position so that it may be'rotated one step for each key operated on the keyboard until the number of keys corresponding to the number of digits of the number'to' be printed have been operated, which, in the machine disclosed, is six; thereupon the locking element adjacent the power clutch is ..released, and the machine may be operated for printing purposes; but should any number of keysother'than the six required be'operated, it will be impossibleto engage theclutch for printing purposes, since the lock will not have been released; the machine must then be cleared and the numerals must be correctly punched into the machine by means of the keyboard before the machine can be operated. g 7

Another object of my invention is to provide a keyboard mechanism wherein certain keys controlling operations of the machine, i. e. the error key andthe control key, may be operated independently of each othenbut when one is operated the other is locked against operation, thus providing a safety measure in the operation of the machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clutch element between each of the keys and the respective key bar; to that end I have provided a type of clutch connection through which instant operation occurs at the touch of a key, and which is simple in construction and durable; also I have provided a power return for each keydepressed, automatically releasing each clutch upon one revolution, thus preventing more than one impulse being transmitted from the keyboard from one depression. of a key.

Various other. objects and advantages will be morefully apparent from the following'descripe tion of the accompanying drawings which form a part of this disclosure, and which illustrate a preferred form of embodiment of the invention.

of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a planvview of a portion of a parcel post machine comprising the front right section of the machine, with the casing brok n away to disclose the interior mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the machine showing the front left section, with the casing broken away, this view, together with Fig. 1, disclosing the entire front section of the machine in plan.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken approximately on line l4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on line 55 of Fig. l, but omitting approximately on the line l'i of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of the elements'of the keyboard clutch shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken approximately on line 99 of Fig. 1, and line 99 of Fig. 2, showing the relation between the key bars, the selector and the numeral printer.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view of the numeral printer showing the elements thereof in printing position. a

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse sectional View, showing the relation of the key bars and one of their connections to the selector, and taken approximately on line i}9 of Fig. 1.

.Fig. 12 is a semi-diagrammatic view of the selector from the front in elevationand partly in section, the solid lines representing the normal position of the elements and the broken lines their extreme longitudinal movement.

Cal

lg. 13 is a semi-diagrammatic view of the selector in elevation and partly in section, taken approximately on line 53-23 of Fig. 12, the original position being shown by the solid lines and the extreme lateral movement by the broken lines.

Fig. i l is a semi-diagrammatic plan view of the selector, the bank of push bars and the contacting ends of the rack bars wherein shown in solid. lines original position of these various elements and in broken lines one position assumed by the selector upon actuation of the lowest n1. "neral key in the keyboard.

Fig. is a semi-'iagrammatic plan view similar to Fig. 14 =howing the selector .in solid lines in the position it will have after three have been actuated in the keyboard and wherein it is now positioned for actuation by a fourth key; the broken lines herein represent the position the selector would assure should. the key on the keyboard numbered 5 be depressed, thus illustrating the amount of move inent required to transmit the action from key 5.

Fig. 16 is a semi-diagrammatic plan view imilar to Figs. and 15, wherein the selector s shown at its extreme limit of movement in no direction, nan ely, wherein five keys have seen depressed upon a keyboard; the selector is now in position to operate upon the depressicn of the sixth key; the broken lines herein represent the extreme movement upon actuation or" the ninth key on the keyboard, which creates the greatest longitudinal movement of these members.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view, similar to the left-hand portion of Fig. 9, showing the selector and the numeral printer their component parts and showing in diagrammatic form the various actuating membes for the numeral printer, certain parts being omitted to disclose parts otherwise hidden.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the keyboard A is the origin of movement in a setting-up operation; by means of the key bars B movement originating in the keyboard is transmitted to several elements operated therefrom, among which is the selector C, which progressively transmits moveinen originating in the keyboard A by a step by step process, contacting progressively each of the sets of rack bars 1'.) which are a part of the numeral printer (Fig. 2). The setting up operation is carried by means of the connections F (Fig. l.) to the meter set-up mechanism G and the numeral indicator H.

For the printin operation there is provided a source of motive power, (not shown), which is connected to the .riven mechanism by means of the shorting J, to which is connected the clutch K lying intermediate of the driving driven members and controlled from the keyboard A; this clutch shafting J drives the driven elements of the machine by cans of "he connected drive gearing L, (Figs. 1 and 2) which drives the numeral printer E and the rotary rinter M by means of the intermediate clutch and its connected gearing ll; also connected to the drive element L is a drive element 0 (Figs. 3. and 2), where it related to certain portions of the meter-actuating mechanism by means of which the operation of the machine for printing purposes actuates the meter actuating mechanism G to transmit into the control meter P, (Fig. 1) and the total meter B (Fig. 2), the numbers set up.

For controlling the operations or the machine for printing purposes and securing accuracy in the setting up operation, I have provided a progressive release lock S (Fig. l) for the purpose of clearing the machine, both by manual op tion originating at the keyboard and ant-om t1 cally by means of the drive clement L, I have provided a clearing mechanism centering principally around sh it T (Figs. 1 and 2.).

For the purpose of receiving a printed stamp at the completion of rinting operation and for moistening and delivering the same, I have provided the moiste ing unit U (Fig. 2). For the purpose I" provi lg means to loo? the machine against operaticn upon exhaustion of a pre-set amount of postage set in the control meter P, I have provided a meter-controlled locking mechanism V (Figs. 1 and 2), the motor circuit bein broken by the locking operation; also the me. drive element L is mechanically locked agains rotation in one direction, and to prevent its operation at time in an opposite direction, I have provided a non-reverse element W (Fig. 2).

The keycoard A, in which originates moveient in the operation of a set-up of numerical .gures in the machine, comprises a set of ten eys 23, (whereby six different fig res are set up with n the machine), an error key 2% (by which the clearing operation of the machine is actuated.) and a control key 22 (whereby the power clutch K actuated). The keyboard A is provided v th a set of clutches 23, (one or which is disclosed in '7); the driving element J (Fig. l) is continued to a point adjacent the keyboard A, and the connecting gearing 24 is connected to a main clutch shaft 25 (Figs. 3 and 7), which has secured to it a toothed element 26.

Rotatively mounted on the shaft 25 adjacent to the toothed element 26 is the cam element 3'5, which has secured to it the eccentric element 2'5, (shown by broken lines in Fig. 8); this eccentric 2'! carr es eccentric ring 28 (also shown by broken lines 8) the eccentric ring has an elongated connection by of which it is connected to a rocking member 35), which turn is connected to one of the key bars of the key bar bank The keys and their connected key stems are virtually clutch-engaging upon depression of the key stem 3i rocks the trip lever wh reuncn the trip is disengaged irom the latch q (the unlatched position being shown in F g. 8) the latching member 35 is pivoted at to the cam member which is secured to the shaft upon rele of the later by the trip the latch member 35, tensioned. by g is moved (as shown in Fig. 3) sufiici 0 distance to bring the latch tooth 39 into the p. of one of the teeth of the toothed member s the engagement of these parts (Fig. 8) causes the cam member 3?, and consequently the eccentric 23 to rotate; th s rotation causes the extension member of? to oscillate in vertical plane a nit movement to the link and the pa icular key bar connected thereto.

The rotation of th provided on its peri includ ng the dwell t A v 1 o! ieve s,

e member 3?, which is phery with cain to l, the engaging of the clutch and the consequent rotation of the parts thereof, causes the cam slide 42 to move out of the dwell i! and ride upon the peripheral face of the cam; this movement of the cam slide 32 (which is incorporated in one end of a rocking arm 53) causes the opposite end of the arm' ifi to actuate and engage bell crank lever 45, which in turn engages each of the series'of trip levers 32 and raises them, together with the key stems 3i and the keys 26, to their original position.

This rocking of the trip levers 32 again places the trip 38 in the path of the latch 34, so that, upon one complete rotation of the latch 35 in engagement with the clutch element 26, the latch again arrives at the contact point with trip 33; this contact causes the tooth 39 to be disengaged or removed from the path of the contacting tooth on the tooth member 25, thus releasing the driving and driven'members of the clutch from engagement; an additional function of the elements 1 -3 and it is to lock all of the key stems 3i against depression during a rotation of the clutch.

.Movement inaugurated in the keyboard is thus transmitted, by means of the link 3%, to a key bar 65, (Fig. 7); the key bar 4-5, being fulcrumed at one end, is depressed by the link 39,

which is fulcrumed on an adjustable fulcrum stand it; the key bar d5 has attached to it one of a series of differential bell cranks Q? by means of which, together with. the slide bare it connected thereto, movement is transmitted to the selector. Upon depression of one of the keys in the keyboard A a corresponding slide member #38 is moved a distance corresponding to the key depression; each of the bell crank levers 47 is so proportioned and arranged as to transmit a movement in accordance with the particular number represented by the key to which it is connected each of the different bell cranks moves a definite distance farther than the next preceding one, thereby providing a series of movements for actuating the selector different distances for each of the different keys of the keyboard.

The selector C is composed of a frame 49 provided with bearing rollers 5t which support a carriage 5i provided with tracks 52 for engagement with the bearings 58, and having a longitudinal movement thereon when actuated by the slide members 48; the carriage 5! is provided with a trackiis in which slides the selector slide member 5-6; this slide 54 moves transversely to the movement of the carriage 5|, and is tensioned for this lateral escapement travel by a tension spring 56, secured at one end to a post 55 on the carriage, the other end being secured to a convenient part of the machine; the carriage 5i also has secured to its upper edge actuating member, namely, the selector arm 5'5, which is so disposed that, in its step by step escapement travel, it will contact successively each of the rack bar members D of the numeral printer E.

The slide member 5 5 is provided on its lower face with a set of escapement teeth 58 which contact a spring tensioned pawl 59; upon the longitudinal movement of the carriage 5! the tooth presentedto the pawl will be moved out of engagement with the pawl 59 and along a guide plate til, at which time the pawl 59, having thus been released, will be moved to one side (to the right in Fig. '7) by its spring 5911; the pawl is limited in its movement to the distance of one tooth by stop 5%, so that it will be just out of the path of the tooth presented upon the return of slide 55 to the original position, and,

therefore, the slide 55 under the influence of spring 58will move laterally (to the left in Fig. 7) until the next succeeding tooth 58 is engaged by the pawl 59 and is stopped when it has moved the distance of one tooth by engagement of pawl 55 with its stop 55c, in which position the selector arm 5? will be aligned with the next succeeding rack bar D. This escapement operation occurs at each travel of the carriage 55, thereby presenting the selector arm 51 successively to each of the rack bars D.

This successive step by step movement of slide 5 3 and selector arm 5? of selector C is shown and described in copending application of George W. Lawrence, filed October 23, 1931, Serial Number 57053 1.

The sequence of movement from the keyboard A having been described as to the rack bars D (Fig. 2), I will now describe the numeral printer E in which the rack bars D are situated.

The numeral printer E (Figs. 9, l0 and 1'7) comprises a printer for the purpose of printin numerals upon a stamp, a removable dater block 6!, a series of rotatable type wheels operated to a set-up position by the rack bars D, and an automatic serial numbering device (not shown) adjacent thereto, actuated to increase one for each of the printing operations and the slides M and the cross connection retaining plate 65.,

For the purpose of creating the required hammer-like blow for printing there is provided a hammer $5 tensioned by means-of springs 6'! and having a type locking portion 68 adapted to engage the presented tooth-shaped type face of the numeral wheels 52; the hammer B6 is rockably connected to the arms 69 by means of a connecting pin 76 (Fig. 17); the arms iii; are secured to rocking shaft H mounted at each end in the supporting side plates 72 of the printer and extending at one end a sufficient distance to have secured thereon a member '53 (Fig. 2), which is tensioned by means of the spring 74 for the purpose of making the hammer blow.

For the purpose of operating the numeral printer E and its various connections the drive element L is gear-related thereto by means of a gear '15 and a driven gear l6 on shaft Tl; the shaft H has mounted thereon a grooved cam '53 in which operates a cam roller, (not shown), secured to the member 53; upon the occurrence of the printing operation, the member 73, with its roller, is so disposed to the cam groove that there is presented a clearpath in the groove of sufficient distance to provide for the spring it to operate the printer mechanism for making a print; subsequently, the cam '38, continuing to rotate, rocks the member 73 and returns the '17), for actuating the serial numbering device,

is located on the shaft il and contacts a member 33 which is connected to perform this function; cam 8! on the shaft 1? functions to operate the inking device; this cam 8I has a dwell 82 into which the spring-tensioned member 83 drops upon the rotation thereof; by multiplying levers this movement is increased so that the inking roller 84 travels the length of the track 85, passing across the face of the ink pad 85, and contacting the type faces of the type in the numeral printer; as the cam 8i rotates the dwell 82, the contact member 83 rides out to the periphery of cam 8i and is actuated to return to normal position, thus returning the ink roller 84 to its original position.

After the completion of a printing operation the clearing action takes place; for power return of the rack members D during the clearing action I have provided a contacting bar 87 mounted in arms 88 which are pivoted on the shaft 89 and actuated by means of the connecting lever 90 and a rocking member 55 which contacts a cam 92 secured to the shaft TI; at the proper point of the rotation of the shaft 77, cam 92 operates rocking member 9I, to rock the bar Bl, through connecting lever 90. When thus rocked (to the right in Fig. 17) bar 53? engages and'moves the rack bar extensions I08 to return the rack bars D to their original position.

The rack bars D are provided with a rack face 93 (Fig. 17) which contacts pinions es; upon the longitudinal movement of the rack bars D, the pinions 94, which are secured respectively to each of the numeral wheels 62, thereby rotate each numeral wheel 62 to bring to the printing position the type corresponding to the key depressed in the keyboard A.

For maintaining the rack bars D in the setup position until after a printing operation, I have provided pawls 95, which are rockably mounted on a spring-tensioned slidable shaft 96 (Fig. 2), which is operated during the clearing action to slide the pawls 95 sideways and disengage them from the particular teeth of the ratchet teeth 9! being contacted, thus releasing the rack bars D to return to normal position; the eeth 9'! are spaced in accordance with the degree of movement necessary to rotate the type faces of the numeral wheel 62; and the spacing of the teeth provides, by movement for the distance from one tooth to the next succeeding tooth, for corresponding movement necessary to move one type face past the printing zone and bring the next type face into printing position.

In order that a duplicate stamp may be made, I have provided an ink ribbon device (Fig. 9) in which the ink ribbon 58 is wound alternately upon one or the other of two spindles 98, by means of a winding and reversing device I88 (Fig. 2) when either of the spindles 89 has approximately the entire length of the ink ribbon wound thereon, the other end of the ink ribbon being firmly secured to the other spindle, the pressure of resistance created by the ribbon when it stops throws over the reversing mechanism, and the ink ribbon is then wound upon the opposite spindle; upon its being fully wound upon this spindle the operation occurs again for reversing to the other spindle, and so on indefinitely, thus providing a means for automatically winding and reversing the ink ribbon.

To provide for a platen against which the numeral printer will act, I have provided the anvil I 62 in-set with a semi-resilient material IIII, and having a guide plate I53 for separating the paper tapes one from the other, and allowing the ink ribbon to repose therebetween, for

the purpose of printing a duplicate stamp; these members are mounted upon plates (not shown) at either end of the device.

The operations of the numeral printer E are apparent from Figs. 9, 10, and 17. Figs. 9 and 1! show the numeral printer in normal position. Fig. shows the printer in printing position, when the hammer 55 has descended; the engaging portion 65 of the hammer 56 has engaged the presented tooth portion of a muneral Wheel 62, restraining it from rotary movement upon the shaft 53, and the pinion 94 has been disengaged froin the rack 53. The return movement of the hammer 66, by means of the springs first raises the top plate 55, which, by its connected portions supports the various members of the numeral printer; upon the plate 65 being returned to contact with the top of the printing frame '52, the hammer continues to rise against the springs 51 until the engaging portion is raised clear of the numeral wheel 62 and the pinions 5'3 again engage the racks 93 in the same gear relation they occupied prior to the printing operation.

I will now describe the transference to the meter set-up mechanism of the set-up movement, which is effected prior to a printing operation, which mechanism, upon a printing operation taking place, is actuated to transmit into the two meters the mechanical equivalent set up within the set-up mechanism, by actuation of the keys of the keyboard A.

Only the combination of figures representing the monetary value of a stamp are registered on the meters herein; consequently, in the particular machine illustrated, only three figures are conveyed and only three rack bars of the rack bar unit D are involved in this operation, these being the rack bars 8&5, I66 and I01; the rack bar we represents the dollars, rack bar I06 represents the tens of cents, and rack bar I01 represents the cents units (Fig. 2); the connecting bars I58, I29 and H0, being connected to the rack bars 995, I06 and I01, transmit the movement during a set-up operation to gearing HI from which the movement is transmitted to the meter set-up mechanism F by means of the gearing H2 (Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 9).

The meter set-up mechanism F comprises three units, (Fig. 1), including the three elevators H3, H4 and H5 gear-related to the meters.

Gearing H2 has pinions H5 which engage with a rack member H! slidably attached to a carriage H8, which carries the elevators H3, H4 and H5, each provided with steps H9 so designed as to correspond with the ratchet teeth 9'! of the rack members D; each of the steps represents and is the mechanical equivalent of one of the numbered keys on the keyboard A, and the rotation of the gearing H2 by actuation of a key moves one of the elevators laterally on its carriage H3 a distance corresponding to the particular key actuated on the keyboard; this movement of the elevator selectively and differentially positions a corresponding step H9 to engage and actuate the movement forwarding mechanism comprising rack bar I25; the actuating operation occurs during the printing operation; a shaft I2i beneath the elevators, geared to secondary drive shaft I20, has secured to it three cams I22, I23 and I24; these cams operate to raise the elevators H3, H4 and H5 and their associated rack bars I25 in succession for the; purpose of presenting only one of the numeral wheel to the other, independently of the drive mechanism; it is for this purpose that the drive mechanism presents the numbers to the meters in a regular sequence.

The operation of the cams I22, I23 and I23 raises the elevators II 3, H4 and H5 in succession; the raising of the elevators brings the steps previously positioned into contact with the respective rack bars I25 raising each rack bar a distance equivalent to the number being transmitted; the rack bar, meshing with the pinion I 26, rotates the pinion to such an extent asto transmit the mechanical equivalent of the numbar to the connected numeral wheel of the meter. This progression of movement from the elevators to the meters is continued through shafts I 2i and I28, which deliver the proper movement to both the control meter P and the total meter R.

' The first three meter wheels in each of these meters are provided with internal ratchet teeth (not shown), thus providing for the drive operation and the return of the selectors to their original position.

To insure the proper and positive return of the meter-actuating selectors (pinions I26 and racks I25) to their original positions, I have provided a power driven return device comprising a cam I29 mounted on the-secondary drive shaft I26, which cam I29 contacts and operates a cam roller I30 mounted on a rock shaft I SI (Fig; 4); secured to this shaft I 3I are rock arms I 32 which contact the tops of the racks I25; upon the rotation of the cam I29, the arms I32 force the racks I25 downwardly, rotating the pinions I26 to the original starting point.

For visual indication of the monetary amount set up in the numeral printer and in the meter 1 set-up mechanism, I have'provided an indicator E (Fig. 6), directly connected to the gearing H2 by engagement of a double rack bar I33 with pinions I3 1 attached to the visual numeral wheels I35; these numeral wheels are operated with the set-up mechanism and are also returned to the zero position upon the return of the set-up mechanism to its original position,

either at the close of a printing operation, or when cleared manually by means of the error key 2| of the keyboard A. c The operation of clearing the machine, automatically at the completion of a printing operation or manually by the operation of error key 2I, comprises rocking the rock shaft mechanism T, which includes a main rock shaft I 36 and a cam-rock shaft IS'I (Figs. 1 and 2).

The rock shaft I37 has mounted on it a cam roller arm I39 and a cam roller I38, actuated by a cam I I0 secured to the drive shaft L; the rock shaft I31 alsohas secured to it a cam member I II adapted to contact and axially move the springtensioned slide shaft on which are secured the pawls 95 which engage and hold the various rack bars D, when thus moved by the cam I II the slide shaft 96 disengages the pawls 95 from the ratchet teeth 97, allowing the rack bars D to return to original position. The rock shaft,

this shaft in unison with the rock shaft. I37 (Figs; 2 and 4) Attached to the rock shaft I 35 is a rock arm I is connected to a rack bar I45 adapted to actuate the progressive release lock S to return it to normal position.

The rock shaft I36 also has attached to it the arm I 56 (Fig. 4), which is provided for the purpose of engaging the roller is? on the arm 55 of the selector slide and thus returning the selector to its original position; this return operation may be at the completion of a printing operation or whenever the error key 2! of the keyboard A is actuated.

In the operation of' the clearing device by key ZI, upon the depression of that key, a keyboard clutch associated with it is operated; this operates of the key bars I49 of the key bar bank B, which engages the rocking arm I59 (Fig. 7), on a shaft I5I; a rocking arm I52 on which is attached to and operates the rock shaft I36; I

In the form of parcel post machine illustrated it is required that six keys be operated in the keyboard A to set up six numerals in the numeral printer; to actuate the selector C to progressively move to six different positions, I have provided a progressive release lock S which controls the power clutch K, so that the shaft L cannot be operated to connect for a printing operation unless the set-up has been properly made; for illustratioinif six key depressions (of the same or different keys) have been made, the progressive release lock has rotated to a point where it will have removed its locking means from the clutch member, and the clutch may be operated; if only five keys have been punched in, the locking element will not be removed? if seven keys are punched in the locking element will have been removed at the operation of the sixth key, but, upon the depression of the seventh key, will return into locking position; to eifect these various movements I have provided a simple but effective mechanism in the progressive release lock which I will now briefly describe, and which is fully disclosed in a co-pending application filed ()ctober 23; 1931 Serial No. 570,631.

The main actuating element of the progressive release lock is the ratchet wheel 55 secured to a shaft I55; wheel I54 has on its periphery a set of 14 teeth I56 and on one of its faces two pins I51 and I58; actuation of wheel IE4 is effected by a spring-tensioned pawl I59 rockably mounted on'a pin I56 in a rocking arm IEI rockably mounted on the shaft IE5 and rocked by a link arm IfiZ; arm I 62 is connected by link IS3 (Fig. 7), to a rock arm Ie l secured to the shaft I to which is also secured a butterfly I65; all of the key bars of the bank B except the error key bar M9 bear against the butterfly I66 when they are depressed for setting up a number .in the machine; the butterfly I66 has a recess IBIa (Fig. 11), which permits the key bar I 39 to be operated without contacting the butterfly I55.

At each operation of a key bar for setting up a numeral, the ratchet wheel IE5 is rotated one tooth width and the operation is as follows: referring, for example to the pin I 5? (Fig. 1), upon the performance of five key-actuations and the consequent rotation of the wheel I54 a distance equal to five teeth thereof, the pin Ir'zl has rotated to the point at which it contacts the end of the lock bar [61; upon the occurrence of the sixth key actuation in the keyboard the pin iBl, by its further movement moves the lock bar i6? and its connected lock I68 actuates the bell crank lever 159 and the latch ild which normall engages the latch pin [H of the power clutch K.

Upon the operation of the clearing mechanism to clear the machine the rack bar is moved longitudinally thereby operating the pinion l'l'. which is in engagement with the rack of the rack bar; rotation of pinion il'l rotates a driving member He, these members being connected and rotatably mounted on shaft I; pawls H4 in driving member H3 (Fig. 5), are adapted to engage internal teeth H5 in a dren member I76; this driven member is secured to the shaft I55 and, upon being rotated, rotates the shaft and the ratchet wheel 15d thereon; the driven member [F5 is provided with a spring brake ill adapted to engage in dwells 578 for final positioning of that member.

The clearing operation, so far as it relates to the progressive release lock, consists in. the actuation of the pinion H2 and the consequent rotation of the driving member H3 and pawls H4 within the driven member N6; the pawls engage the teeth. il'ii whatever position they may happen to occupy picking up the driven member $78 and rotating it to its 01 ginal position, thus re-setting the pins 151: an R53 to normal position; when the pins are so re-set the lock bar i6? is at its original position and the lock 558 is out of engagement with the spring-tensioned bell crank 539, which positions itself to engage the lat-oh iii? ..lth the pin ill; for the purpose of preventing reverse action or" the ratchet waeel I have provided a springtensioned pawl H9.

To comply with the requirem nts for a machine of this character, it is necessary that there be provided a meter which can be set for a predete mined amount of postage, and which, upon the exhaustion of the amount, will operate to lock the machine against further operation until it is re-set by an authorized person; to that end I have provided the control meter P, which includes mechanism by which such locking ire-setting actions may be performed.

The me er wheel 58d of the train of meter wheels in the control meter P (Fig. l) is pro ided on one side with a cam face as: designed to contact, upon rotation of wheel Edd with a spring-tensioned trip lever E82; normally positioned in the path of the cam E31; trip lever I82 has a foot i83 (Fig. 5), which extends beneath the drive bar i8 1 when set, retains this drive bar in an elevated position; when the cam it! contacts tie tr'o lei the latter is moved outwardly, carr l 533 from beneath the drive bar drops down, this movement being permitted by the slotted opening which the guide pin 86 is positioned; the descent of the drive bar I84 brings the latch it? into the path of the cam I88 secured to the shaft 132.

The locking operation occurs at the completion of a printing to permit the last stamp printed to be issued. At the completion of a printing operation, when the locking operation is to occur, the shaft i3! is actuated and the cam E83 is thereby operated to pick up the latch i8"! and move the drive bar 184 a predetermined distance to actuate a mechanical lock g its foot which thereupon and an electric switch. The mechanical lock consists of a pawl N39, operating against a ratchet wheel I98 secured to the drive shaft L (Fig. 1) the electrical switch V (Fig. 2) is of the conventional quickdhrow type and 0 erates to disconnect the motor circuit when lock mechanism, including the drive bar I84, is operated by the control meter P.

These locks are released, upon the re-setting of the control by means of a key loci: l9! through its connections 532 with a rock shaft 93, to one end of which is secured a cam lever i925 (Figs. 1 and 5); this lever lifts the drive bar 184 out of contact with the cam I88, whereupon it is returned longitudinally by spring 8411 to original position and is held in its elevated position by the lever E94 until the meter re-set; during the re-setting operation the cam i3! is removed from contact with the trip 582, thus allowing the trip foot 83 to return beneath the drive car E84 and hold in its normal elevated position after the removal of the lever led by the locking of the control meter P and the removal of the key from the lock ifil; when the meter and the meter control loci: have thus been returned to original position they are ready to be operated for another locking operation. The return movement of the drive bar ($4 to its original position releases the pawl and ratchet lock sec-see (Fig. l) and operates tl switch V (Fig. 2) to close the motor circuit, s placing the machine in operable condition.

is mechanism is fully disclosed in a co-pendapplication filed October 28, 1931, Serial No. ,634.

For the purpose of providing power for the printing operation and its related movements, 1 have provided the power clutch K which is of the conventional pin-clutch type, wherein driving and driven members of the clutch are engaged and disengaged at predetermined points of revolution. The operation of this clutch is controlled in part by the engagement and disengagement of latch lie with latch pin ill in accordance with the operation of the set-up mechanism, a part of which has been hereinbefore described.

For operation or the power clutch K I have provided the manual control key 722 on the keyboard A, which, by means of the link 295 and the pivotally connected members 95st, iSSb and I950, actuates a trip member i3 5, which is normally in engagement with the latch pin Ill, of the clutch K. The clutch may be engaged, by operation of the control key 22, provided that the proper set-up has been made by means of actuation of the keys of the keyboard A, so that the latch HE will have been disengaged from the pin il i; when the clutch is disengaged it remains in disengaged position until it is again manually operated by means of the control he 22. This mechanism is the subject I" a copending application filed October 23, 1 1, Serial No. 570,636.

The parcel post machine herein disclosed is adapted to print stamps upon a paper tape and duplicate stamps upon a duplicate tape; for the purpose of printing the stamp form upon the paper tape preparatory to the printing of the numerals which complete the stamp, I have provided a rotary printer M which comprises a conventional drum printer with a rotary platen, the indicia plate of which is so disposed upon the periphery of the drum that it will contact the paper against the platen roller at the printing some at the time that the paper tape is being moved forward, after the printing oper ation of th numeral printer.

To provide for an intermittent operation of the conveying elements for thepaper tapes, I have provided an intermittent clutch N, and appropriate connections with the shaft L and the printing and conveying mechanism. This partioular unit has no direct bearing'upon the subject of this invention, beyond the fact that, through its control, the paper tapes are fed intermittently through the numeral printer and the ribbon is properly fed beneath numeral printer E by the ribbon feed and reversing mechanism we. intermittent clutch mechanism is the subject of a co-pending application, filed October 23, 1931, Serial No. 570,630.

Upon the completion of a printing operation, during which the numeral printer has printed the numerals upon a stamp length of the paper tapes, both tapes are forwarded by the conveymechanism, the original stamp traveling into a discharge and moistening element U; upon the completion of the forwarding movement of the stamp length a 1 knife element 599 (Fig. 2) severs the completely printed stamp from the balance or the paper tape, and by manipulation of the handle tilt, the stamp may be deposited upon the delivery plate properly moistened and ready to be attached to a parcel. This moistening unit U is the subject of a co-pending application, filed October 23, 1931 Serial No. 570,526.

The duplicate tape is wound upon a spindle, (not shown), the handle 292 of which, (Fig. 2) furnishes means by which the duplicate paper tape may be removed from the machine.

The type-setting mechanism herein disclosed includes several cooperating elements, namely, the keyboard unit A, the key bar bank B, the selector unit (3 the rack bar bank D, the numeral printer E, and the meter set-up mechanism G.

In the operation of setting up a number on one of the typebearing numeral wheels in the numeral printer E, the actuation of one of the keys 2o connects the power supply from the drive shaft 25, through the eccentric 2": and the eccentric ring 23 to the key bar loank B; this connection is accomplished by depressing one of the keys 2% and its connected key stem 35, thereby rocking the trip bar 32, which disengages the trip 35-3 from the latch M, thus allowingengagement oi the tooth 3:) with one of the teeth of the toothed clutch element 26, thus eiiecting engagement of the clutch (Fig. 8) while the clutch is engaged the latch E l and attached elements make one complete rotation; prior to the completion of this rotation the arms t2 and i l under the influence of cam face it of earn 3?, rock the trip bar 32 and restore the trip 33 to its position in the path of the latch 3 upon the completion of the rotation the trip 33 again engages the latch 3 removing the tooth 39 from engagement with the toothed element 2% and thus releasing the clutch.

The movement originating in the depression or" one of the keys 2E? and transmitted through this clutch follows through the particular one of the key bars B associated with theactuated key to the bell cranks (Fig. 11) connected t the key bar and to one of the push rods 48.

I The bell cranks 4i are of diilerent ratios of leverage, providing dlfierential movements of rods &8 corresponding to the numerical marking of each key, for the purpose of providing a mechanical set-up equivalent to the numbers punched in on the keyboard; the particular movement desired and achieved in this mechanism is to rotate the type-bearing numeral wheels in the numeral printer with such relation to the keys on the keyboard that when 'a the corresponding push her so, by

be actuated only a distance sufficient to rotate the particular type wheel being operated upon to bring the type face bearing the numeral 5 to the printing position.

As a further illustration, if the key on the keyboard bearing the numeral 3 is depressed, the actuation will move the corresponding bell crank 5?, with its predetermined ratio of leverage, to actuate the corresponding push bar 8 a distance sufficient to transmit into the numeral printer wneel a degree of rotation sufficient to bring the type face bearing the numeral 8 to the printing position. 7

The parcel post machine herein disclosed is designed to operate to set six difierent numeral wheels in the numeral printer by means of a single key bank or" ten -eys on the keyboard A; since there must be six difierent and complete operations of setting up individual numerals upon six difierent numeral wheels in the numeral printer E, i have provided an intermediate mechanism disposed between the keyboard mechanism, the numeral printer E,

and the connected meter set-up mechanism G,

wherein the movements originating in the keyboard transmitted as diiierential movements by the; push bars t8 are applied selectively and in succession to the rack bars for the respective numeral wheels; this intermediate mechanism comprises the selector unit C.

In this selector unit 1 have provided a means for progressively contacting individually each of the bars com rising the bank of rack bars D, which are geared directly to the respective nu moral wheels in the printer E. In Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are illustrated the series of movements of the various parts of the selector unit.

In Fig. 12 the selector is shown in side elevation, partly in section, from the front oi the parcel post machine; the carriage 55 is shown solid lines in normal position, and in broken lines at the extreme limit of its longitudinal movement, equal to the distance traveled when the ninth key is punched on the keyboard A; this figure also illustrates the two extreme positions of the selector arm 5?.

Fig. 13 illustrates the two extreme positions of the selector slide 5d, the solid lines showing its original or starting position, with th selector arm 5? position d opposite the first rack oar which is the rack bar connecting and nil-u,

operating the numeral wheel bearing the figures indicating the zone to which the package to be stamped is to be sent. The position shown in broken lines in Fig. 13 shows the extreme movement of the slide transversely of the carriage ll; in this position the selector arm is positioned opposite the rack bar Hi1, which is connected to and operates the numeral wheel in the numeral printerE bearing figures indicating the number of cents of the monetary value of the stamp.

Fig. 13 also indicates the escapement opera tion of the selector slide 5t, whichis provided 

